Film Screening

Film Screening

एक रुका हुआ फैसला

Films have a power to make an emotional connection with viewers. They enable educators positively in clearing concepts. There are many benefits of using films and videos in education which has been proved in several decades of research. It facilitates thinking and problem solving. It inspires and engages students for three hours. We at MMBGIMS believe in the positivity of film screening.

On 17th November 2017, students saw 1986 Bollywood film ‘Ek Ruka Hua Faisala’ (एक रुका हुआ फैसला). The film was directed by Basu Chatterjee. It is a remake of the Golden Bear winning, American motion picture 12 Angry Men (1957), which was directed by Sidney Lumet.

The story begins in a courtroom where a teenage boy from a city slum is on trial for stabbing his father to death. Final closing arguments have been presented, which carries a mandatory death sentence. The judge before giving final judgment instructs 12 jurors to decide whether the boy is guilty of murder or not. When all get inside the discussion room, it is immediately apparent that all jurors with the sole exception of Juror Number 8 (played by K.K. Raina) have already decided that the boy is guilty; they plan to return their verdict quickly, without taking time for discussion. Jury number eight’s decision of having round of discussion before reaching final conclusion infuriates the other jurors. The entire film centers on the twelve men’s difficulty in reaching a unanimous verdict. While majority of jurors give opinion based on their personal prejudices, Juror 8 maintains that the evidences presented in the case are inferred, and that the boy deserves a fair consideration.

The movie illustrates how bias mars decision making; when we go by our past experience and stereotype our decisions lose precision. Moods and emotions have significant effects on decision making. Positive moods and emotions seem to help decision making. Calm and composed people make a better impact; they have a better ability to plead their point. When people shout and lose their temper, they lose their balance and chance to make a point. After the movie, students discussed role and character of each jury and their decision making process besides the plot of the movie.